Theft of steel bars leaves infrastructure vulnerable to collapse

50 bridges, flyovers and underpasses have been damaged due to vandalism

KARACHI:

Theft of steel reinforcement bars has weakened more than 50 bridges, flyovers and underpasses across Karachi, raising fears of structural failure. Despite repeated thefts, police have failed to stop the damage, while delayed repairs by civic agencies continue to put public safety at risk.

According to an Express Tribune survey, theft of steel bars from pillars, foundations and protective walls has continued for months. After targeting manhole covers, railings around parks and playgrounds, and pedestrian bridges, suspected drug addicts have increasingly turned to major road infrastructure, threatening public safety.

Dhobi Ghat Bridge, Miranaka Bridge and Natha Khan Bridge are among the structures reportedly in a dilapidated condition. Residents and local representatives fear that the weakened bridges may be unable to withstand increased traffic loads.

Drug addiction and related thefts have increased in Karachi over the past two decades, with manhole cover thefts becoming routine. Several people, including children, have been killed or injured after falling into uncovered manholes. Although the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation replaces stolen covers, delays of three to four days can leave pedestrians at risk.

Despite repeated fatalities, the Sindh government and police have yet to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy or take sustained action against drug dealers. Meanwhile, an Express Tribune survey found damage to nearly all city bridges, flyovers and underpasses, particularly those over the Lyari and Malir rivers and railway tracks, where limited public movement, inadequate patrols and a lack of surveillance cameras facilitate steel thefts.

Thefts have also occurred on busy thoroughfares despite police patrols and surveillance cameras. Steel reinforcement bars have been removed from pillars, while protective posts and reinforcement have been stolen from Jersey barriers installed to safeguard pedestrians.

Last month, damage to the foundations of Teen Hatti Bridge came to light after steel bars were stolen from its pillars and walls. Following media reports, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) carried out repairs. The corporation has also repaired Liaquatabad, Gharibabad and Nazimabad underpasses and Golimar Bridge. However, several other structures remain unrepaired.

Among those reported to be in particularly poor condition are Miranaka and Dhobi Ghat bridges over the Lyari River, Shah Faisal Colony Bridge over the Malir River, and Natha Khan and Lilly bridges over railway tracks. Sher Shah and Younas Abad flyovers have also sustained considerable damage. At several locations, concrete has been broken away and protective walls damaged, increasing the risk of accidents.

Babu Lasi, general secretary of the Golimar Social Welfare Organisation, said suspected drug addicts had broken the protective walls of Love Lane Bridge over the Lyari River and stolen steel bars, creating a risk of pedestrians, particularly children, falling from the bridge.

He said the walls had since been repaired using funds from an MNA. However, Miranaka and Dhobi Ghat bridges remained in poor condition, with steel bars missing from their foundations and protective walls. Despite repeated complaints to the relevant civic authorities, repairs had yet to begin.

Lasi urged the government to establish a long-term rehabilitation programme for drug addicts and take effective measures to protect public infrastructure.

A spokesperson for the Keamari police zone said pickets had been established around the Lyari Expressway, including Miranaka, Jahanabad and Golimar, to curb activities involving drug addicts. Over the past six months, police had conducted multiple operations, referring more than 1,000 individuals to welfare organisations for treatment and rehabilitation while arresting hundreds of suspected drug dealers.

KMC Chief Engineer Ishrat Rehan said repair proposals for Miranaka, Dhobi Ghat and Natha Khan bridges, along with other damaged structures, had been submitted. "Construction work would begin as soon as funds become available," he added.